Definition of Backward

1. Adjective. Directed or facing toward the back or rear. "A backward view"


2. Adverb. At or to or toward the back or rear. "She looked rearward out the window of the car"
Exact synonyms: Back, Backwards, Rearward, Rearwards
Antonyms: Forward

3. Adjective. (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature. "A backward lover"
Similar to: Bashful, Blate
Also: Timid
Antonyms: Forward

4. Adverb. In a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal. "The child put her jersey on backward"
Exact synonyms: Backwards

5. Adjective. Retarded in intellectual development.
Exact synonyms: Feebleminded, Half-witted, Slow-witted
Language type: Archaicism, Archaism
Similar to: Retarded
Derivative terms: Backwardness, Feeblemindedness, Slow-wittedness

6. Adverb. In or to or toward a past time. "Lovers of the past looking fondly backward"
Exact synonyms: Back
Antonyms: Ahead, Forward

7. Adjective. Having made less than normal progress. "An economically backward country"
Similar to: Adynamic, Undynamic

Definition of Backward

1. adv. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.

2. a. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.

3. n. The state behind or past.

4. v. t. To keep back; to hinder.

Definition of Backward

1. Adjective. (context: of motion) Pertaining to the direction towards the back. ¹

2. Adjective. (context: of motion) Pertaining to the direction reverse of normal. ¹

3. Adjective. Reluctant or unable to advance. ¹

4. Adjective. Of a culture considered undeveloped or unsophisticated. ¹

5. Adjective. Pertaining to a thought or value that is considered outdated. ¹

6. Adjective. (cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease. ¹

7. Adjective. (cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else. ¹

8. Adverb. (context: of motion) In the direction towards the back; backwards ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Backward

1. toward the back [adv]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Backward

backtracked
backtracker
backtrackers
backtracking
backtracks
backup
backup file
backup man
backup rate
backup vocalist
backup vocals
backupable
backups
backveld
backvelds
backward (current term)
backward and forward
backward compatibility
backward compatible
backward compliment
backward curvature
backward dive
backward heart failure
backward induction
backward inductions
backward linkage
backward slash
backwardation
backwardations

Literary usage of Backward

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Modern Democracies by James Bryce Bryce (1921)
"The first of these causes is the contact, closer than ever before, which now exists between the more Advanced and the more backward families of mankind. ..."

2. The American Journal of the Medical Sciences by Southern Society for Clinical Investigation (U.S.) (1892)
"He concludes that backward displacement of the uterus does not cause ... In the later years of the childbearing period, backward displacement causes a small ..."

3. A Practical treatise on fractures and dislocations by Lewis Atterbury Stimson (1899)
"The dislocation may be complete or incomplete, upward, forward, or backward; and when complete it is usually also inward, toward the median line, ..."

4. Gymnastic Teaching by William Skarstrom (1921)
"Reverse grasp, start swing, on next backward swing half right turn, ... Swing, pass feet between hands, shoot over bar to back rest; backward knee circle to ..."

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